Conte backs Carlos Tevez for Argentina

Juventus coach Antonio Conte backed his striker Carlos Tevez for a return to the Argentina team after learning that he has not been included in the squad for their upcoming friendlies.

Juventus coach Antonio Conte backed his striker Carlos Tevez for a return to the Argentina team.

"Tevez is the class of player who deserves to go to the World Cup," Conte said of his charge during a media conference Friday.

Lionel Messi has been included in a strong Argentina squad for friendly matches against Ecuador and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Argentina, who qualified at the top of the South American qualifying table for next year's World Cup, named a 22-man squad that includes Messi, Angel Di Maria, Sergio Aguero and Gonzalo Higuain.

Argentina face Ecuador on Nov. 15 at East Rutherford, N.J., and play Bosnia and Herzegovina on Nov. 19 in St. Louis. Ecuador and Bosnia have both qualified for the World Cup.

Tevez has not played for Argentina since the Americas Cup in 2011 before Alejandro Sabella took over the reins for Argentina. The 29-year-old played in the 2006 and 2010 World Cups and he was also in the Argentine team that won the gold medal at the 2004 Olympics.